Services

Legacy is a national voluntary organisation of veterans, servicemen and women and other volunteers who are dedicated to the care of the dependants of Australian Defence Force members, after the death of a spouse or parent during service, and to Australian and Allied families after operation service. Legacy was formed in 1923.

This service is in memory of the Victorian servicemen and women who have served overseas or in Australia in all wars, in ships or units of the Royal Australian Navy, the Australian Army, or the Royal Australian Air Force.

In particular, we remember the service of men and women who served in units from World War I and World War II who once would have attended their annual Pilgrimage in this month, but due to the passage of time are no longer able to.

In World War I, 89,000 Victorians served overseas. 19,000 made the supreme sacrifice.

In World War II, 297,000 Victorians served overseas. 10,900 made the supreme sacrifice.

We will remember them.

The 2/14th Battalion was raised in Victoria in April 1940 and was initially stationed at Puckapunyal until it was sent to the Middle East. In early 1942, they were shipped backed to Australia, disembarking in Adelaide where they camped at Springbank in the Adelaide Hills. They travelled to Melbourne by train and took some well earned leave. As the Japanese threat developed, they moved from the Watsonia camp in Melbourne by train to Glen Innes for a short period before moving on to Yandina in Queensland. The Battalion embarked at Brisbane for the Papuan campaign. Between 16 August 1942 and 15 January 1943 the battalion fought on the Kokoda Track and at Gona.

The HQ 3rd Division Association holds its annual pilgrimage at the Shrine on the eve of ANZAC Day. The Association remembers the service and sacrifice of its members at this time.

Villers Bretonneux Day, April 24th, marks the successful counterattack and recapture of Villers Bretonneux in 1918. This action played a significant role in the overall defeat of the German attack launched in March 1918.

A service is held annually by the Friends of the 15th Brigade on April 24th each year at the Shrine of Remembrance. The 15th Brigade, which had suffered dreadfully in the ANZACs first major action on the Western Front at Fromelles, together with the 13th Brigade, was instrumental in this action.

Villers Bretonneux is today the main Australian site of commemoration in France.